Revelation Chapter 7 Lecture Notes

Overview

• Continuing exploration of the book of Revelation.
• Progressing through the text on Wednesday nights, currently in Chapter 7.
• Timeline focus: our current study is between Chapters 6 and 18, covering the tribulation period.

Understanding Tribulation

Definition

• The term "tribulation" refers to the wrath of God coming upon the earth.

Reasons for Tribulation

1. To Wake Up Unbelievers
   • God often uses drastic measures to get attention.
2. To Shake Up Israel
   • God's plan for the Jewish people continues; the church has not replaced them (opposition to replacement theology).
3. To Finalize the Kingdom of God
   • The makeup of God's kingdom will be complete after Jesus' return.

Sequence of God's Wrath

• God's wrath revealed in three series:
  1. Seven Seals
     • Only Jesus can break the seals; first six seals discussed last week.
  2. Seven Trumpets
  3. Seven Bowls
• Increasing severity with each series, culminating in the Great Tribulation after three and a half years.

Summary of Previous Chapters (Chapter 6)

• Six seals opened:
  • 1st Seal: White horse - indicates the rise of the Antichrist.
  • 2nd Seal: Red horse - signifies escalating war.
  • 3rd Seal: Black horse - shows famine and economic collapse.
  • 4th Seal: Pale (green) horse - symbolizes death.
  • 5th Seal: Indicates the martyrdom of believers.
  • 6th Seal: Universal natural disasters.
• The seventh seal introduces the next series (seven trumpets).

Transition to Chapter 7

• Chapter 7 serves as a parenthetical section, providing hope amid God's wrath.

Key Elements:

• The question: "For the great day of his wrath has come, and who is able to stand?" (Rev 6:17)
• Mercy embedded within judgment, aligning with Habakkuk 2:2.

Chapter 7: Key Events

Vision of 144,000 Sealed

• Four Angels:
  • Positioned at the four corners of the earth, holding back destructive winds (symbolizing judgment).
• Fifth Angel:
  • Ascends from the east with God's seal, commanding the four angels to wait before harming the earth.
• 144,000 Servants of God:
  • Sealed on their foreheads, representing Jewish believers from all tribes of Israel.
  • Each tribe contributes 12,000 for a total of 144,000 evangelists during the tribulation.

Identification of 144,000

• These are Jewish believers, as confirmed in Revelation 14:3.
• Contrary to claims by Jehovah's Witnesses.

Tribes of Israel Listed

• Tribe of Judah: 12,000 sealed.
• Tribe of Reuben: 12,000 sealed.
• Tribe of Gad: 12,000 sealed.
• ... (continues for all tribes)
• Significant Omissions:
  • Levi is listed, but Dan is missing; potential reasons discussed, including connections to the Antichrist.

Second Vision: The Great Multitude

Introduction to Vision

• Verse 9: John sees a great multitude from every nation, tribe, and language standing before the throne.
• Attributes:
  • Clothed in white robes holding palm branches (signs of victory and worship).
  • They proclaim, "Salvation belongs to our God!"

Response of Angels and Elders

• Proclamation of blessing and glory to God.
• Angels and 24 elders worship around the throne.

Elder’s Address to John

• The elder describes the multitude as those who came out of the Great Tribulation, emphasizing their martyrdom.
• Righteousness Illustrated:
  • Their implications in robes washed in the blood of the Lamb; a metaphor for salvation.
  • Assurance of comfort and no more suffering in heaven (ref. to Revelation 21:4).

Closing Thoughts

• God’s mercy amidst tribulation illustrated through the sealing of 144,000 believers.
• An innumerable multitude will also come to faith during this period.
• Encourage application of God's word in daily lives and witness to others.
• End with a prayer inviting those seeking faith to invite Jesus into their hearts.

Next Steps

• Future study will resume in Chapter 8 next week.